BAT or Lamm

[pweg]

HI all

looking for advice on choosing some tube gear to complement my Vitus/Marten gear. Im running Marten Coltrane 3's and all Vitus electronics (SM 011 moons, MP dac and MP Transport) and Siltech Triple Crown, Double Crown and Jorma Statement cables.

In Australia where all things are limited, I can readily get hold of BAT and Lamm. So I'm choosing between a BAT REX pre/power combo or a Lamm ML2.2 and L2.1 Ref.

My system is in a small room and i mainly listen to female acoustic jazz and small scale string ensembles. Im looking for a beautiful natural presentation of voices with a bit of warmth. I dont want hyper detail. But i do want to be immersed in the music for several hours - so it must be non fatiguing.

The problem is once again Australia. I can get both systems, but can't audition before buying. So any comment on then general nature/style/sound of either brand would be most welcome.

Here is my current system :

 

[bzr]

Why change, if so why not change speakers......

 

[pweg]

Not changing. Adding to.

 

[joeinid]

Such a beautiful system. You are a lucky man.


I've always wanted Lamm but never made the leap. Just from those choices, I'd pick Lamm in a heartbeat.

 

[Melbguy1]

I've always wanted Lamm but never made the leap. Just from those choices, I'd pick Lamm in a heartbeat.

+ 1. Vladamir Lamm designs a lovely sounding amp. Though i've found Lamm sounds a bit on the dark side. That may not be a bad thing though with Accutons. The Bats would be the more user friendly to amps to live with though.

 

[Jazzhead]

Pweg ... You might want to read Fremer's review on your speakers . They are a demanding load as compared to the Coktrane 2 , which I run . Is a tube power amp the way to go ? I am very familiar with your amps and DAC , having used them myself . Are you running the MPD direct into the SM010 ? I would at first, try a good tube pre amp to drive your power amps and take it from there . I have had good results with the Zanden 3000 driving my Vitus SS101 mk2. Good luck with your choice .

 

[Mike]

BAT REX vote here. Although I feel the ML2.2 is slightly the better amp, it may not be in your situation with only 18 watts. Although rather benign from an impedance standpoint, your speakers are rated at 88db, but measure closer to 84db: http://www.stereophile.com/content/marten-coltrane-3-loudspeaker-measurements#C6P6e1dv1ddOb0da.97

The BAT REX amps with their 80 watts, will play nicer I believe.

One word of caution, those 6C33C (used in both the Lamm and BAT amps) put out a lot of heat.

 

[cmalak]

I agree with Mike about the ML 2.2s being mismatched with your speakers. I would still do Lamm but I would choose the M1.2 Class A amp which in the Us is $$15k cheaper than the ML 2.2s and I would use the savings there to go up the line in the Lamm pre and go for the LL1.1 Sig pre.

 

[La Dolce Vita]

HI all

looking for advice on choosing some tube gear to complement my Vitus/Marten gear. Im running Marten Coltrane 3's and all Vitus electronics (SM 011 moons, MP dac and MP Transport) and Siltech Triple Crown, Double Crown and Jorma Statement cables.

In Australia where all things are limited, I can readily get hold of BAT and Lamm. So I'm choosing between a BAT REX pre/power combo or a Lamm ML2.2 and L2.1 Ref.

My system is in a small room and i mainly listen to female acoustic jazz and small scale string ensembles. Im looking for a beautiful natural presentation of voices with a bit of warmth. I dont want hyper detail. But i do want to be immersed in the music for several hours - so it must be non fatiguing.

The problem is once again Australia. I can get both systems, but can't audition before buying. So any comment on then general nature/style/sound of either brand would be most welcome.

Here is my current system :

Love those Coltrane 3's!!! Man those are beauties!!! [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pweg]

thx guys for ur responses.

its a difficult decision made more difficult through the lack of available options to demo. Obviously If i could bring home any of the considered pieces the thought process would be much simpler.

I might look at getting a good quality pre to try out first, as I am running the MPD direct into the monos.

having said that I'm quite convinced that a single amplifier (or dual monos in my case) may not be the answer to what I'm seeking and 2 separate amplifier systems are required. One for intimate listening , and another for louder more lifelike daytime listening.

 

[Melbguy1]

thx guys for ur responses.

its a difficult decision made more difficult through the lack of available options to demo. Obviously If i could bring home any of the considered pieces the thought process would be much simpler.

I might look at getting a good quality pre to try out first, as I am running the MPD direct into the monos.

having said that I'm quite convinced that a single amplifier (or dual monos in my case) may not be the answer to what I'm seeking and 2 separate amplifier systems are required. One for intimate listening , and another for louder more lifelike daytime listening.

I'd look to a preamp upgrade before changing your power amps, the obvious candidate being the Vitus SL-103 when it lands . And if you still feel you want to take it further, you could trade up your SM-010 mono's for an SS-103. That's the way i'd go if I were in your shoes .

 

[pweg]

got a hold of the BAT preamp and am now listening to that plugged into the Vitus monos..... sounds pretty good. Getting a bit of the richness and density of the tubes .......

got it for the weekend so shud be interesting to play with

 

[bzr]

I can totally vouch for Marten with Ayon amps. I use the Epsilon monos & the rich soundstage is deep & wide. By the way, Boris's moto is if you're not happy with your purchase, neither is he.....